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Oregon Giant Earthworm #925843
Asked March 11, 2026, 12:13 PM EDT
Hello, I believe I may have spotted an Oregon giant earthworm while overturning sod/lawn grass in my backyard. I live in Portland, in the Willamette Valley and have deep, rich, clay-heavy soil with significant rocky material. I also water my lawn frequently, meaning the soil never fully dries out.
I have attached photographic evidence. I also have video. This may just be a normal, very large earthworm, but I thought I would submit to someone who could possible tell me more about this. I know there have only been 15 official sightings in Oregon, so if this is indeed an Oregon Gian Earthworm, I hope this could be the 16th recorded sighting!
Thank you! Looking forward to hearing back!
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for using Ask Extension.
I hadn't heard of the Oregon Giant Earthworm (Driloleirus macelfreshi) before but there is a Wikipedia page:
Oregon giant earthworm - Wikipedia
I'm going to say that it is likely just a big common earthworm. My reasoning is that the clitellum (the area in your picture that is pink, shows as yellow in the picture in Wikipedia. This sort of sent me down a rabbit-hole in there is a related species, giant Palouse earthworm or Washington giant earthworm (Driloleirus americanus)
